Lian Li A3-mATX PC Case - Wood Edition - Micro ATX Case - Supports 360mm AIO Cooler & 415mm GPU - Wood Front Panel - No Fans Included - White (A3W-WD)

For too long I kept the old tiny (and ugly as sin) case my PC came with. I stare at it every day. Life is too short for a cramped, ugly PC case, so I got this case. It’s extremely adaptable and user friendly to work in. (I had to move power supply to the side due to the length of cables with my SFX power supply.) Bonus: it looks really nice! The mesh cooling works insanely well. Currently cooling 175 watt GPU + 65 watt CPU (continuous load all night) with a SINGLE 90mm rear exhaust fan (!!!!). [I also had to flip the Noctua Ghost CPU cooler 180 for fit reasons, and I didn’t have extra thermal paste-so I just used the old stuff—NOT ADVISED; just FYI to add context to how well the case is working.]

I did an ITX built with my old AM4 and then I did. Rebuild inside this for my AM5 build. No issues with a big ol 2.5 slot AMD GPU and a 1k PSU at almost max length. I did my math homework for sizing and thought the over sized ATX PSU wouldnt fit but i was pleasantly surprised with how much room this case has inside.

This case just looks amazing. The wood front makes it looks so classy. It’s perfect for a small room setup. It’s super light. The cooling capacity is surprisingly great as well. It can though at times get tricky setting it up, but once you do, it looks beautiful. I purchased a glass panel, it even then it’s just as amazing

This was a fun case to build in for a first timer like me. Not much in the way of cable management, but since there is no view inside normally, it really didn't matter so much.

Pros and Cons Analysis Pros Compact Yet Versatile Size (26.3L) At 26.3 liters, the A3-mATX strikes a balance between small form factor and compatibility with high-end components like 415mm GPUs and 165mm CPU coolers. It’s snug but workable for powerful builds. Excellent Airflow Potential The mesh top and side panels, combined with support for up to 10x 120mm fans, provide robust airflow. My experience with the Noctua NH-D15 and a single fan setup still yielded "tons of airflow," especially with an exhaust and side fan, highlighting its ventilation strengths. High Case Quality Lian Li’s reputation shines through with solid steel construction and a premium feel, despite the budget price. The mesh panels are sturdy, and even the plastic front panel (or wood trim option) feels well-crafted for $90-$100. Flexible Cooling Options Supports up to a 360mm AIO on top or 280mm on the side, plus large air coolers like the NH-D15 (up to 165mm). Your switch to the DH-15 worked well, retaining an exhaust fan, which shows adaptability even if not ideal for your Z63. Modern I/O The front panel includes a fast USB-C (10Gbps), two USB-A ports, and separate audio jacks, making it future-proof and convenient. Ease of Assembly (With Planning) The tool-less side and front panel removal, along with a removable side fan bracket, simplifies assembly. My DH-15 setup, while snug, was manageable, suggesting that with careful component selection, it’s straightforward. Cons Limited AIO Mounting Flexibility My NZXT Z63 couldn’t mount on top (likely due to clearance or radiator thickness constraints), forcing a side mount where the screen isn’t visible. Losing the rear exhaust fan in this setup is a notable drawback, reducing exhaust options and potentially impacting thermals. Cramped Interior Space W/ only 26.3L (yes, I wanted something more compact than Lian Li O11 mini), fitting large components like the NH-D15 (even with one fan) or a 360mm AIO can feel restrictive. Cable management is also challenging due to minimal space behind the motherboard tray. Compromised Fan Configurations Using the NH-D15 with one fan (due to space limits) and the Z63 side mount sacrificing the rear exhaust highlight how fan placement can be a trade-off. The case supports many fans, but not always in ideal harmony with larger coolers. Ease of Installation Hampered by Constraints Installation isn’t as seamless as larger cases. My Z63 experience required rethinking mounting, and the DH-15’s single-fan setup suggests extra effort to optimize. The flexible PSU bracket helps, but planning is critical to avoid clearance issues. No Included Fans Unlike some competitors, the A3 comes with no pre-installed fans, adding cost and setup time. You had to rely on your cooler’s fans or add your own for exhaust and side intake. Cable Management Struggles The tight space and lack of dedicated cable routing options make tidying cables difficult, especially with bulkier ATX PSUs or AIO tubing, which could detract from the build experience. My Rating: 3.6/5 Explained 3.6 rating aligns with the case’s strengths and quirks. The inability to top-mount your NZXT Z63 AIO (likely due to radiator thickness exceeding the 52mm limit with fans or VRM interference) and the obscured screen on the side mount are valid frustrations. Losing the rear exhaust fan with the Z63 further limits airflow options, which clashes with my cooling preferences. Switching to the Noctua NH-D15 mitigated some issues—restoring an exhaust fan and adding a side fan—but the snug fit and single-fan limitation (due to clearance) underscore the case’s spatial trade-offs. For the "tons of airflow" with the DH-15 setup is a win, but the compromises in mounting flexibility and ease of installation drag the score down from a potential 4 or higher. Additional Notes on Ease of Installation, Case Quality, and Ease of Assembly Ease of Installation: Moderately easy with simpler setups (e.g., air cooling like the DH-15), but trickier with AIOs like the Z63 due to clearance and fan trade-offs. Requires pre-planning for PSU and cooler placement. Case Quality: Top-notch for the price—steel mesh panels feel durable, and the minimalist design is sleek. No major quality control issues reported widely, unlike some reviews noting minor fitment quirks. Ease of Assembly: Straightforward with removable panels and brackets, but the snug interior demands patience and precision, especially with cable management or larger components. The Lian Li A3-mATX is a solid choice for compact, airflow-focused builds, but your experience shows it’s not perfect for every cooling setup without some compromises.

This chassis is just as gorgeous in person as it is online. Love how it looks in my office. Had the chassis functions I wanted ( ports).

Great case for the price. Do not make the same mistake as me though, If you have a motherboard with PCI positions 1 and 3 newer RTX gpus will not fit. You can only fit it in a position 2 slot. I had to go above and beyond to cram the gpu in which I do not suggest lol but I did not want to return my case. I wish the documentation stated that but it’s my fault for not researching more. Other than that I was able to fit a full water cooler and regular size psu so that works for me

Wonderful case aesthetically. Some pre-planning is helpful, but it really wasn't too bad to build in. Worst case scenario, trial an error will work out and don't expect perfect cable management as everything has to be done on the front side.

Quite a good case with good ventilation and mounting options, managed to put in two 360 radiators.

منتج

I absolutely love this case and will probably stick with it forever. I wanted the black wood version, but I'm not paying a scalper. The white has grown in me. It's a very flexible and easy case to build in, even for a first timer like me. The sides come off with a quick snap and it comes with all the hardware. The only thing that might be an issue is that the entire case is mesh, which is great for cooling, but not for dust. Only time will tell if dust becomes an issue with this case.

The matal is high quality, front IO is excellent, it has front and bottom meshes, great compatibility with components. The only bad thing there are small bad spots of painting on exterior and interior. The color is cool/blue white it's not as good as off/warm white, I should've got the black version. Make sure when buying an Matx motherboard the 16x pcie slot is the top slot if not you can only fit 3-3.2 slot cards.

What a case. For the price your not going to get all the bells but its still a great case.